Vali Basha, national gold medallist in bench press powerlifting, has been running around trying to mobilise funds to take part in an international event at Dubai next month.
The 34-year-old auto driver of Malapanagudi in Hosapete taluk of the district is the breadwinner for his family, which includes his grandmother, parents, wife and four children.
Mr. Basha developed a passion towards bodybuilding and powerlifting from a young age and has come trumps in various body building competitions and weightlifting competitions at the district, inter-district and State-level since 2011.
After winning the gold at the national bench press championship this March 2018 in Jharkhand, he has been among the 26 powerlifting champions, under various age categories, chosen from Karnataka to represent India at Dubai’s Asian Bench press Chaimpionship 2018.
“My friends M.D. Vijayakumar, Mallikarjun, owner of a poultry farm in Malapanagudi, managed to mobilise funds for a Thailand event. I am also thankful to Kumar of Davangere, a gym instructor, for volunteering to coach me and giving valuable tips and training,” he told The Hindu .
“For participating in the Dubai championship, I need around ₹2 lakh: ₹98,000 towards the admission fee and to purchase proteins and dry fruits for maintaining fitness. As of now, I have managed to raise a personal loan of ₹30,000 and got ₹20,000 from Mr. Mallikarjun to pay the first installment of ₹50,000 towards confirmation of participation in the vent. I have to arrange for another ₹48,000 before August 28 and also for procuring protein and fitness diet,” he said.
Interested persons could contact Mr. Basha at 9591222262 to get more details and also his bank account number.
